What initially really confused Tiger Woods about Royal Portrush the last time it hosted The Open back in 2019

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Tiger Woods unfortunately won’t be taking part in The Open Championship this year, which takes place at Royal Portrush.

Woods is out of action at this moment in time, having failed to make a single appearance on the PGA Tour in 2025 so far.

Next up in the schedule is the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, which is immediately followed by The Open Championship.

Woods missed the cut at the 2019 Open, the last time the major championship was held at the Northern Irish course.

Rory McIlroy missed The Open cut in 2019 as well, with Shane Lowry clinching the Claret Jug just over the border from his native Ireland.

How Royal Portrush left Tiger Woods confused at The Open Championship in 2019

Lowry recently returned to Royal Portrush in a bid to re-familiarise himself with the course, which 15-time major champion Woods analysed back in 2019.

Sharing his thoughts on the venue at the time, the American icon commented: “This is just a wonderful golf course.

READ MORE: What Rory McIlroy noticed about Royal Portrush golf course when he saw it for the very first time

“It can play so many different ways. [A lot] depends on the wind and what it does. Some of the bunkers here, you wonder why in the hell is it there. And then all of a sudden it’s in play.

“The difference between this layout versus most of The Open layouts is that the ball seems to repel around the greens a lot.

“You’re going to have a lot of either bump-and-run chips [or] slow putts coming up the hills. But it’s an unbelievable golf course.”

Tiger Woods’ entire history at The Open Championship

It is slightly too early to predict just how much of a challenge the weather will pose this year, with very tricky conditions having been at play last time.

But this week’s Scottish Open should provide a great insight for many players, while many will likely be expecting plenty of wind and perhaps some rain anyway at Royal Portrush given its location.

READ MORE: Shane Lowry on the shot he simply ‘hated’ at Portrush in 2019 despite going on to win The Open Championship

McIlroy is among previous champions in Scotland, with the Northern Irishman having also won The Open in his phenomenal career.

But his one success at the tournament falls short of Woods’ three, with the American having conquered links golf in his prime.

The 49-year-old has played at The Open 23 times during his stunning career, winning it in 2000, 2005 and 2006.

They are among his 15 major championship wins overall, bettered only by the 18 of fellow legend Jack Nicklaus.